CH-46 Sea Knight and CH-53 Super Stallion helicopters combine with amphibious landing craft to attack from the sea during an air and amphibious assault on the beach near Hat Yai, Thailand, on May 20, 1997. The helicopters and landing craft are bringing U.S. and Royal Thai troops ashore as part of Exercise Cobra Gold '97. Cobra Gold '97 is the latest in a continuing series of U.S. /Thai military exercises designed to ensure regional peace and strengthen the ability of the Royal Thai Armed Forces to defend Thailand. The training will include joint combined air, land and sea operations. Cobra Gold is the largest strategic mobility exercise involving the U.S. Pacific Command forces this year.